Shows / Freaking Cool Indies
Freaking Cool Indies
Freaking Cool Indies: Your Blueprint to Indie Game Success. More than just a podcast, it's your indiepreneur toolkit. We cut through the noise to deliver research-backed marketing insights, practical publishing advice, and motivational stories from successful devs. Learn how to craft killer elevator pitches, build thriving communities, and navigate the wild world of game marketing. We're here to help you not just make games, but sell them. Join us and turn your indie dream into reality.
Episodes
Freaking Cool IndiesHow to Network in the Games Industry (Even If You Know Nobody)
📬 Freaking Cool Indies Newsletter: https://freakingcoolindies.com/FCI_newsletters How to network in the games industry when you know nobody. Networking tips…
Freaking Cool IndiesIndie Game Business 101: Publishers, Contracts and Costly Mistakes
Indie game business 101: how to run your indie studio like a real business, from finding a publisher or self publishing to reading publishing contracts and…
- Freaking Cool Indies
What Makes Players Click, and Wishlist, Your Game on Steam?
Indie game marketing starts with a strong first impression. Learn how Steam capsule art and game trailers can help your indie game stand out, earn clicks, and…
- Freaking Cool Indies
The AAA UX Framework Indie Devs Never Learn
Former Ubisoft UX director Ruwan Fernando breaks down UX design, UI design, and video game accessibility for indie game developers, and why copying other games…
- Freaking Cool Indies
How Two Theatre Writers Built An Award-Winning Video Game (Hilltop Studios Interview)
Hilltop Studios founder Scott Christian and writer Matt Bernard break down how two theatre kids built an award winning indie game, then bet the whole studio on…
- Freaking Cool Indies
A Games Journalist Explains Why Most Indie Game Pitches Get Ignored
MobileSyrup Gaming Editor Bradly Shankar breaks down exactly what makes a journalist cover your indie game, from the GIF that saves them time to the embargo…
- Freaking Cool Indies
How Game Devs Win With Shorts in 2026 | Jestr CEO
Short form video is how game devs win in 2026. Jestr CEO Mahdeen Abrar breaks down how to use YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and Instagram Reels to get your game…
- Freaking Cool Indies
A Games Recruiter Reveals How to Actually Get Hired
A games recruiter who has made 500+ hires breaks down how to actually get hired in game dev right now: why mass applying online is a trap, how to network…
- Freaking Cool Indies
He Launched With 11k Wishlists, Then Sold 200,000 Copies
This indie game went viral through streamers on YouTube and Twitch with zero ad spend, and turned a two hour prototype into 200,000 Steam sales. Solo dev Mateo…
- Freaking Cool Indies
Stop Ignoring Accessibility: The Biggest Mistake Indie Devs Make
Accessibility in indie game development is the most overlooked way to reach more players, sell more copies, and build a bigger community. Zach and Vinny from…
- Freaking Cool Indies
He Teaches Indie Devs to Build an Audience. Here's How He Built His
Chris Zukowski (How To Market A Game / HTMAG) is one of the most trusted voices in indie game marketing. In this episode, Chris breaks down how he built his…
- Freaking Cool Indies
The Framework That Keeps RPGs, Deck Builders, and Narrative Games From Breaking
The framework indie devs use to keep RPGs, deck builders, and narrative games from breaking during production. Learn game content structure and documentation…
- Freaking Cool Indies
The Shorts Formula That Gets Indie Games Noticed (While You're Still Building)
Indie game marketing with YouTube Shorts and TikTok is one of the most powerful tools a solo dev has, and Landon from Broken Flame Games has cracked the…
- Freaking Cool Indies
Your Indie Game Needs Super Fans. Here's How to Build Them.
Mallory Loar was one of Discord's first marketing hires, and she built the Hype Squad, a superfan program that scaled from a handful of passionate Discord fans…
- Freaking Cool Indies
Devlogs, Discipline, and No Zero Days with DevDuck
Subscribe to DevDucks Youtube Channel: @DevDuck Ben's Twitter: https://x.com/_devduckWhat does it take to sustain a 5-year indie game development journey?…
- Freaking Cool Indies
Give Me 1 Hour, I’ll Fix Your Steam Page
Steam isn’t a storefront — it’s an algorithm.And if you don’t understand how it works, your game gets buried.In this episode of Freaking Cool Indies, I’m…
- Freaking Cool Indies
Game Localization 101: Grow Your Indie Game’s Wishlists & Revenue
Game Localization for Indie Games. Learn how proper localization boosts Steam wishlists, global reach, and revenue, with expert insights from Alconost’s Yana…
- Freaking Cool Indies
48-Hour Game Jam → 2.5 Million Copies Sold (Full Story)
Discover how Annie and Lucas transformed a 48-hour game jam entry into A Little to the Left, selling over 2.5 million copies through authentic marketing and…
- Freaking Cool Indies
The Hidden Cost of Gaming Success Nobody Talks About
Think you need to grind 15 hours daily to succeed in gaming? Veteran Twitch streamer Dan 'Indie' Long proves otherwise. Learn the hidden costs of gaming…
- Freaking Cool Indies
Player Motivation vs Player Behaviour: The Difference That Matters
Discover how empathy driven marketing can transform your indie game's success by understanding player motivation vs behaviour. Andrew Pappas from RenGen…
- Freaking Cool Indies
Game Funding Explained: Which One is Right for You?
Discover the 3 main types of indie game funding and learn which option is perfect for your studio. From traditional publishers to venture capital to…
- Freaking Cool Indies
[Segment] The Secret to Landing Your Game on Major Gaming Outlets
Most indie developers think getting featured on IGN or Game Trailers is like winning the lottery - reserved for studios with massive marketing budgets. But…
- Freaking Cool Indies
Are You Ignoring the Most Powerful Platform for Indie Game Marketing?
You're posting on Twitter and Reddit, but what if the most powerful business platform for indie devs is the one you're ignoring? Jon Hanson went from unknown…
- Freaking Cool Indies
Stop Chasing Mega Streamers Do This Instead
Watch the Full Podcast: https://youtu.be/0w1D_ubxTko🎯 Free Cold Email Template: https://freakingcoolindies.com/6-2/Cold email outreach for indie game…
- Freaking Cool Indies
Lessons from $300K in successful Kickstarter campaigns
📬 FCI Newsletter: https://freakingcoolindies.com/newsletter/Get In Touch With Sam:Indievelopment: https://www.indievelopment.uk/X [Twitter]…
- Freaking Cool Indies
From Idea to Trademark: Protecting Your Indie Game the Right Way
Learn essential legal foundations for indie game development with lawyer Jacob Vela. Discover how to protect your IP, build strong trademarks, and create…
- Freaking Cool Indies
Meet the Man Behind Gaming’s Most Iconic Indie Trailers
🎥 DEREK LIEU:Derek's Website: https://www.derek-lieu.com/Derek's Youtube Channel @DerekLieu How to Make a Game Trailer Course…
- Freaking Cool Indies
The Complete Guide to Pitching Your Indie Game to Publishers
🏆 7 Day Marketing Foundations Challenge: https://freakingcoolindies.com/resources/Ever wondered how to approach a publisher? Or maybe just felt nervous about…
- Freaking Cool Indies
Don’t Announce Your Game Until You Watch This!
Announcing your game is one of the most important steps in your indie dev journey — but most developers get it wrong. So how do you nail your game’s…
- Freaking Cool Indies
Last-Minute Game Marketing: 90-Day Plan to Boost Steam Wishlists
90 days to launch and no marketing plan? Don't panic – you're not out of options!In this episode, we're joined by Devin Dixon, founder of Glitch, to break down…
- Freaking Cool Indies
The Ultimate Cold Email Framework for Indie Game Developers
Cold email outreach for indie game developers doesn't have to feel salesy! Learn how to build genuine relationships with streamers, journalists, and content…
- Freaking Cool Indies
How to Create an Unforgettable Brand Identity for Your Game
Game branding for indie developers: Think branding is just a logo and colours? That's the biggest mistake indie game marketing makes! Learn authentic brand…
- Freaking Cool Indies
The Newsletter Strategy 90% of Indie Devs Are Missing
Email marketing for indie game developers isn't dead - it's your secret weapon. While most indie devs chase social media followers, smart developers build…
- Freaking Cool Indies
Stop Fighting Your Deadlines & Actually Finish Your Game
Ever wonder how successful indie studios like Drinkbox manage to consistently release amazing games? In this episode, we get the inside scoop from Associate…
- Freaking Cool Indies
Stop Wasting Money on Bad Capsule Art - Do This Instead
Stop your scroll! That's the power of amazing capsule art on Steam. But how do you get it?In this episode, we're joined by talented artist James Combridge to…
- Freaking Cool Indies
Thinking About Starting a Devlog? Watch This First
Wishlist TetherGeist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2474430/TetherGeist/O. and Co. Games Youtube Channel…
- Freaking Cool Indies
Welcome to Freaking Cool Indie
🖥️ FCI Website: https://freakingcoolindies.com/🏆 Indie Dev Marketing Foundations Challenge: https://freakingcoolindies.com/resources/📝 Subscribe to the FCI…